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The John Gosden-trained Mafaaz-GB ran down pacesetter Sochcahtoa-IRE in deep stretch and held off a late charge by Spring of Fame to win Wednesday’s inaugural running of the $115,000 Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes by a neck at Kempton Park near London.

Trainer Larry Jones will be a busy man on Saturday as he send his pair of major contenders for the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) into important prep races in two states.

L & M Racing’s Rachel Alexandra, a dominant winner of Churchill Downs’ Golden Rod (GII) and Oaklawn Park’s Martha Washington in her last two starts, will be the odds-on choice when she faces five rivals in Saturday’s $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (Grade II) at Fair Grounds.

Churchill Downs and Susan G Komen for the Cure®, the world’s largest breast cancer organization, announced today a partnership to raise funds to aid in breast cancer awareness and research. Kentucky Oaks 135, the companion event to the annual Kentucky Derby, will feature a day of events to raise money and awareness for Komen, which leads the global movement for breast cancer research, educatio

Churchill Downs Incorporated has announced a series of groundbreaking new rules and policies designed to enhance the safety and welfare of jockeys and horses. These measures will be in place at Churchill Downs racetrack in advance of the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum!

The 2009 “Road to the Roses” Kentucky Derby Fantasy Challenge, a free online contest that allows racing fans to manage a stable of Kentucky Derby contenders during the three-month buildup to the historic Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum!

Churchill Downs’ 2009 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (“KDFW”) begins its 11th year on Thursday when the first of its three betting pools opens with the mutuel field, or “all others,” as the favored betting interest as fans take their shot at picking the winner of the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) months in advance of America’s greatest race.

With Kentucky Derby 135 on May 2, 2009, quickly approaching, Churchill Downs, the legendary racetrack that hosts the annual “Run for the Roses,” is pleased to announce that Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay has signed on for a second year as the official host and spokesperson of the Kentucky Derby Party program and Web site, Read more ›

Churchill Downs has unveiled a stakes schedule for its 2009 Spring Meet that is headed by the 135th renewals of the $2 million-guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) and the $500,000-added Kentucky Oaks (GI), and includes a total of 29 stakes events with total purses of $7.575 million.

Churchill Downs is set to give away 400 Cajun Jockey Hurricane Glasses on Saturday, February 7, to celebrate Louisiana Derby Preview Day from Fair Grounds. The glasses proved to be a popular hit during the Fall Meet and Saturday will be a final opportunity to go home with a glass.

The public unveiling of a larger-than-life bronze statue to celebrate the life of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro will take place at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on the morning of Sunday, April 26. The announcement comes on the second anniversary of Barbaro’s passing on Jan. 29, 2007.

Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI” or “Company”) (NASDAQ: CHDN) today announced that it is restructuring its organization to facilitate implementation of the Company’s new growth-based strategic plan. Under the new strategic plan, CDI will focus on becoming the leading provider of integrated racing, gaming, and entertainment delivered on-site and online.

On Thursday, Jan 15, First Lady Jane Beshear accepted a check on behalf of “Horses and Hope,” the breast cancer awareness program initiated by the First Lady and the Kentucky Cancer Program (KCP). The donation of more than $11,000 presented to the First Lady in the Capitol by Churchill Downs was the result of proceeds collected during the Breast Cancer Awarene

Mark Johnson (biography), one of the most popular and acclaimed horse racing commentators in Britain, will bring his talents to America in 2009 as the new track announcer for Churchill Downs, home of the world-famous Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I).

Steve Sexton, president of Churchill Downs and executive vice president of Churchill Downs Incorporated, has issued the following statement on the death of Daily Racing Form Executive Columnist Joe Hirsch:

Churchill Downs has launched the official Web site for the 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, www.kentuckyderby.com, which will offer unparalleled coverage of the horse racing season leading up to the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2009.

Officials of Churchill Downs Incorporated and representatives of the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association have come to an agreement that allows, under specified terms and conditions, Churchill Downs racetrack to offer its live racing signal for distribution to national advance-deposit wagering platforms, including TwinSpires.com. T

Churchill Downs today announced that Lee Ann Shellman, who since 2003 has served as senior director of premium seating, is leaving the racetrack. Her final day with Churchill Downs will be Wednesday, Dec. 31.